2005 Mg Zs+ — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,874 MOT tests analysed for the 2005 Mg Zs+, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension. Its pass rate of 74.0% was in line with the average for cars of a similar age (74.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 33.6% in the 150k+ group versus 21.3% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.6% | 292 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.3% | 192 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.2% | 191 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.6% | 162 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 5.5% | 104 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.5% | 84 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 141 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 138 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 100 |
| 4 | Catalyst emissions | 80 |
| 5 | Joints | 79 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 71 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 29.5% | 552 |
| 2 | Suspension | 27.6% | 517 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 21.5% | 403 |
| 4 | Tyres | 21.0% | 394 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 12.2% | 228 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 9.0% | 169 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 324 | 21.3% |
| 60-90k | 611 | 26.5% |
| 90-120k | 541 | 27.4% |
| 120-150k | 217 | 25.8% |
| 150k+ | 152 | 33.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,680 | 25.6% |
| Diesel | 194 | 29.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 489 | 28.0% |
| 2022 | 431 | 26.5% |
| 2023 | 367 | 24.8% |
| 2024 | 315 | 23.2% |
| 2025 | 272 | 26.8% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Zs+
Before buying a 2005 Mg Zs+, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 15.6% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (15.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (10.3% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Suspension (10.2% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2005 Mg Zs+s pass their MOT?
74.0% of the 1,874 2005 Mg Zs+ MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Mg Zs+?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.6% of tests, followed by brakes (10.3%).
Does the 2005 Zs+ get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.3% in the 30-60k band to 33.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,874 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.